03/13/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Winona Police Department
🚨 Public Scam Alert: Fraudulent Traffic Citation Message 🚨
The Winona Police Department is warning residents about a potential scam text message currently being circulated claiming to be from the Mississippi Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) regarding an alleged outstanding traffic citation.
The message instructs recipients to immediately pay a fine through an unfamiliar web link and threatens penalties such as suspension of vehicle registration, driver’s license suspension, and additional fees if payment is not made before a stated deadline.
The Winona Police Department advises the public of the following:
• Do NOT click the link provided in the message.
• Do NOT reply to the message or provide personal or financial information.
• The link provided in the message is not an official Mississippi government website.
• Government agencies typically do not request payments through unsolicited text messages or unofficial links.
These types of messages are commonly used by scammers to obtain personal information or financial payment.
If you receive a message similar to this, delete it immediately. If you are unsure whether you have a legitimate traffic citation, contact the appropriate court or agency directly using verified contact information.
The Winona Police Department encourages all residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious messages or scams.
If you believe you have been the victim of a scam or have questions, please contact the Winona Police Department.
Together, we can help protect our community from fraud.
Winona Police Department
Protecting and Serving the City of Winona 🚔
Can you post this please
